Seriously, what a day!
Sam was hurrying on her way to meet Riya. Anybody could've said anything about Riya but according to Sam, she was the kindest soul in the world. Riya helped Sam overcome a lot of stuff since childhood and she had never once treated Sam poorly. Even if Riya looked like she was rude or in the worst mood, Sam never bothered about it because she knew that deep inside her friend was a softie.
But today Riya faced the worst nightmare of her life and that was because of Sam. It was the saddest thing for her even more than the worst things she had faced in life before.
Although so many activities were happening for the past few days and Sam's mind wavered a lot about telling Riya the truth, she finally decided that she couldn't take it anymore. Blaming someone else or throwing them under the bus wouldn't solve anything.
Even if the truth breaks everything Sam ever had with Riya, she must do it. Even if everyone in the world opposed her, she must do it, at least for the sake of their friendship all these years. She had never once been able to lie to Riya and it still stayed the same. Eventually if Riya came to know, then something unsolvable might happen between them. So this was much better.
Sam convinced herself multiple times that this was the best decision, on her way to Riya's house. Whatever was the circumstance, she would handle it and end it today. No wavering thoughts anymore, she told herself.
There were no reporters or news anchors when Sam parked her car. Last time when she came to Riya's house with eyes full of tears, worried sick about her friend, the reporters overwhelmed her with so many stupid questions and made her feel like shit.
It's good that it would not happen today. Because she had to be at her best in order to face whatever was in store.
She made up her mind and pressed the calling bell. Her hands were literally shaking due to nervousness. Obviously Riya was scary, even if she was not in the best of her conditions.
To Sam's surprise, Riya opened the door. Multiple emotions tugged her mind at the same time. She wanted to jump on Riya and hug her, she wanted to cry, she wanted to collapse! At the same time, multiple questions arose in her mind. How are you? How are you holding up? I was so worried about you, why didn't you call?
But Sam couldn't bring herself to ask or do any of it for some reason. She just stood near the door like a mannequin and blinked at Riya.
"Are you planning to come inside or you have other plans?", Riya asked bringing Sam back to reality.
Sam was always chatty, always hyper and energetic. If something can make her shut up, then it must be big, Riya thought.
She wavered near the door, but eventually decided to go inside.
Sam took a seat on the couch. And she sat at the edge, purposely making herself uncomfortable.
"Want water?", Riya asked confused for which Sam only nodded. She didn't utter a single word since entering, which scared Riya a little bit.
Riya went to the kitchen and brought a glass of water for her friend. She couldn't handle the suspense anymore. Seriously, what was going on?
Once Riya came back in, she noticed Sam fidgeting and sitting at the edge of the couch. She can read her friend like an open book now after all these years of being together.
"Sam, what happened? Why are you like this?", Riya was concerned.
"Me?? Look at you, Riya!! You look.....", Sam faltered and her eyebrows scrunched together in anxiety. "Oh my god, Riya! What have I done to you!?!", she started crying immediately, a faucet waiting to gush out.
Riya couldn't understand why she was crying.
Was Sam so worried about her that she started crying? Why should her friend be so dramatic?
"Come on, Sam! I'm totally fine. It's just fatigue. I had to deal with shit. Leave it and cheer up! It's all good now. I'm back on my feet", Riya assured her. Never Riya had spoken like this to Sam but currently the situation demanded it and she really wanted Sam to stop crying.
"I'm so sorry, Riya... I'm... Sorry.... It was me! I'm so.... sorry", Sam mumbled in between sobs and Riya couldn't catch it properly.
"What? I can't get it"
"I'm so... sorry", Sam repeated again but Riya could not understand why she was sorry. Was she feeling sorry for Riya?
"Sam first stop crying. I really don't get what you are trying to tell. Plus, this isn't a big deal, okay? Shit happens in life! You just deal with it and move on", Riya mentioned again, starting to become impatient.
"Okay... okay.....", Sam said consoling herself. Of course she came to tell Riya what exactly happened. So, she needed to pull herself together and do just that.
"Riya.... I hope you get mad at me! I hope you kill me, please. You take whatever decision you want after this. But remember that I would never do anything to consciously hurt you. You were my best friend and you'll always be.. okay?", Sam wiped her tearful eyes and sat straight.
Riya felt something fishy but she only said, "Okay", for Sam to continue and tell what the hell she was trying to convey.
"I did it, Riya.... I was the one who blabbered about your phobia to Rohan when I was drunk, and he used it against you", Sam looked at her feet and confessed. Obviously, she won't be able to do it to Riya's face. How could she face her anymore? Never!
Riya was completely confused.
"You....What now?", she asked perplexed.
"I told you. I did it.... I got so drunk one day. It was stupid. I thought Rohan was for real and he wanted to really get back with me.. That bastard! But, he played me well and got what he wanted. He was the one who informed media about you and got you fired. I'm so so sorry, Riya. I'm really sorry", Sam finally blabbed everything at once leaving Riya dumbfounded. She finally ripped off the band-aid and was eagerly waiting for the judgement from her Riya. Whatever it was, Sam was ready to accept it.
Riya's mind was still at "What now!" phase, because now two people have confessed to her about the same thing and both seemed equally real. Although she could not fully understand Sam's reason... because, why would Sam think Rohan would have done it? Rohan came across as a bit weird to Riya too... But would he go to such lengths to use Sam against her? Why would he do that?
Who was lying? Which one to believe?